Rust spot options?

[Mr-B]

I have a small spot of rust (MINI bootlid above handle) and wondered what the best options are, DIY (I'm not that confident my skills are up to it though) or leave it to the pros? Any idea what this might cost, I am trying to contact a couple of local places for quotes.

[Panamax]

Eeek. By the look of that seam it has bad design/build/metal treatment stamped all over it. I don't think you'll ever be able to get that under control and the best option is just to keep it as tidy as possible with minimum expense.

How old's the car and what do you consider its value to be?

[Dave.]

R50/52/53 generation?

Remove that plinth, the lamp holders will probably fall to pieces in your hands.

I had mine done a few years ago, and the repair didn't last long before it started bubbling again. I suspect he just ground the rust away and filled/painted, rather than putting in new metal like I asked.

I put new lamp holders in at the time so it's staying as it is for now, it's been like that for ages and hasn't got any worse (on the outside at least).

[Dave.]

Panamax said:

Eeek. By the look of that seam it has bad design/build/metal treatment stamped all over it. I don't think you'll ever be able to get that under control and the best option is just to keep it as tidy as possible with minimum expense.

How old's the car and what do you consider its value to be?

"They all do that, sir." Etc.

[Dave.]

Page 14, scroll down... It'll look a bit like that (probably not as bad for now)

https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/threads/2004-mini...

[Mr-B]

Dave. said:

R50/52/53 generation?

Remove that plinth, the lamp holders will probably fall to pieces in your hands.

I had mine done a few years ago, and the repair didn't last long before it started bubbling again. I suspect he just ground the rust away and filled/painted, rather than putting in new metal like I asked.

I put new lamp holders in at the time so it's staying as it is for now, it's been like that for ages and hasn't got any worse (on the outside at least).

Correct. R53 (2005 vintage)

Thanks for the comments so far.

Only just got the car and it's in decent nick apart from this blemish which I was aware of when buying so just weighing up the pros/cons/cost. If it's taken until now to look like it does then I hope it won't suddenly start expanding at a rapid rate.

[QJumper]

Mr-B said:

Correct. R53 (2005 vintage)

Thanks for the comments so far.

Only just got the car and it's in decent nick apart from this blemish which I was aware of when buying so just weighing up the pros/cons/cost. If it's taken until now to look like it does then I hope it won't suddenly start expanding at a rapid rate.

There no pros to delaying fixing it. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get, and the more it will cost to repair. Once it starts it can potentially deteriorate quickly, I know this to my own cost.

If it were me, and I intended to keep the car, I'd get it sorted now, whatever the cost.

[steveo3002]

can you get clean used tailgates for ok money?

maybe look around for a clean one and have it painted then swap it over

[Mr-B]

steveo3002 said:

can you get clean used tailgates for ok money?

maybe look around for a clean one and have it painted then swap it over

This had crossed my mind. I will have a look around and see if it stacks up.

[Mr-B]

Hmm.. first quote back £200+VAT.

[alabbasi]

That's rusted through, by the time you're done grinding, it will be bigger. Try to find a used on in the same color and call it a day.

[Dave.]

Mr-B said:

Hmm.. first quote back £200+VAT.

Have you/they removed the boot handle/plinth and had a look as to how bad it is under there?

[Belle427]

Sounds about right but depends how they intend to tackle it.
I don’t think it will get cut out for that price so may come back in the future.
Problem is a used tailgate may have the same issue but if it’s a keeper that may be a better option finding a good one.
It may cost more though to prep and paint it.

[steveo3002]

£200 wont get you alot of work...knock the scab off and repaint it...will almost certainly be a hole once the trim is off

surely you would wait until a mint used one comes up rather than buy another rotten one?

[Dave.]

I doubt mint ones still exist, the newest ones are 16yrs old.

Mine's a 2005 & it first went in 2017.


ETA - having said that, this one looks OK. (Other than the scratches & dents, but it'll need painting to match anyway.)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325277514232


I'd be very cautious of buying one with the boot handle & the interior trim still attached. That one's bare so you'd be able to look inside from behind & check it's not rotting.

Edited by Dave. on Saturday 24th September 09:37

Edited by Dave. on Saturday 24th September 09:38